Tendulkar wanted to rest his back

Tendulkar wanted to rest his back

It was with shock and dismay that the Tasmanians reacted to Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar's decision of not playing in the four-day game here. Tendulkar, who has not had a very good first Test match at Adelaide, was expected to play here and cricketing logic too would suggest that he should have used this opportunity to play a long innings and tune up for the second Test beginning at Melbourne on December 26.

Out of the three four-day practice games on the tour, Tendulkar has played in only one, missing out on the match against New South Wales before the Adelaide Test and has now skipped the Hobart match.

Knowing Tendulkar's keenness to play, even if a match happens to be an inconsequential one, it did come as a surprise that the Indian skipper had opted out of an important practice game. There has to be more reason than ` others too have to get a chance' theory, which the team management gives when confronted with the question, why is Tendulkar not playing.

When Tendulkar was asked this question onthe morning of the match, his first reaction was:``Is it necessary for me to play in all the matches? I didn't feel the need to play here as I think I am in good nick.''

When pressed further and asked if it was because of his back that he does not want to stretch himself in the side games, Tendulkar said:``Well, I have to be cautious about that also.''

Tendulkar, who because of his back problem was forced to miss two one-day tournaments in the recent past, has been advised by his doctors to take sufficient rest between matches and his missing out on these four-day games has a lot to do with that advice. He as much as confessed that indirectly and considering the amount of cricket India has to play in the future, Tendulkar may have little option but to take rest during these practice games so that there is no recurrence of his back pain. It is a price he has to pay if he wants to prolong his career.

--PM